By TYRONE L. HEPPARD
Staff Reporter
theppard@cortlandstandardnews.net
CORTLANDVILLE — Maurice’s, a women’s retail clothing store, opened Thursday morning at 818 Bennie Road, across the street from Walmart in the new plaza next to the Shoe Department store.
The new store is one of 900 in the chain across the United States and Canada.
Originally opening in Duluth, Minn., in 1931, store manager Keli Bradt says Maurice’s specializes in women’s fashion apparel and accessories and it carries clothes from size 0 to size 24.
“We like to have fun with everyone who comes in,” Bradt said. “And make them feel confident and beautiful.”
In addition to providing women in the Cortland area with a place where they can find what they need to express themselves, Maurice’s also has “Maurice’s Cares,” a program with the goal of helping out the community, and Bradt said she is excited about the chance to work with residents and organizations in Cortland.
“I’m looking to support the community,” Bradt said. “We get involved in community events and we really do want to get to know everyone.”
Since the store has just recently opened, Bradt says the store still has to get organized but the kinds of things she wants to do include holding fashion shows at SUNY Cortland and Tompkins Cortland Community College, working to set up internships for students and holding various clothing and food drives.
Bradt, says she has been shopping at Maurice’s for about nine years and had been working at the store in Brockport, Monroe County, for the last four years until she was given the opportunity to manage the new store opening up in Cortlandville.
“It’s been an adventure moving and getting out to meet new people,” said Bradt. “It’s something I really wanted to do and experience for myself.”
Originally from Attica, Wyoming County, Bradt says she is excited to come to Cortlandville to manage the store and has had a positive experience.
“I love it so far,” said Bradt. “I’m from a tiny town so Cortland to me is actually big and it’s exciting. Everyone’s extremely friendly and they really welcomed me to the area.”